Millions of users already bank, budget, and invest inside the Revolut app — so it's no surprise that Revolut crypto has become one of the most talked-about ways to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and dozens of altcoins without leaving your phone. But is the built-in crypto feature actually a smart place to trade, or just a convenient one? Here's the full breakdown.

What Is Revolut Crypto and How Does It Work?

Revolut launched its in-app crypto service back in 2017, turning a digital banking app into a lightweight trading hub. Today, the feature lets retail users buy, sell, and hold a curated list of digital assets directly from their Revolut account balance — no external exchange, no separate wallet setup, and no need to wire funds between platforms.

Under the hood, Revolut operates as a custodial broker. That means the company holds the actual coins on your behalf, and you see a representation of your balance inside the app. You don't get private keys, you can't send tokens to an external wallet in every region, and you can't plug in a hardware device. For beginners, this simplicity is a major selling point. For seasoned traders, it's a deal-breaker.

Who Can Use It

Crypto services on Revolut are available in most of the European Economic Area, the UK, and select other markets. Coverage varies by jurisdiction, and some features — such as staking or transfers to external wallets — are limited or unavailable depending on local regulations and your account tier (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, or Ultra).

Revolut Crypto Fees: The Real Cost of Trading

The headline pitch is "simple, low-cost trading," but the fee structure deserves a closer look. Revolut charges a combination of spreads, execution fees, and plan-based limits that can catch casual users off guard.

  • Spreads: A markup is baked into the price you see. Revolut states this typically ranges from around 0.5% to a few percent, depending on the asset and market conditions.
  • Execution fees: Higher-tier plans get discounted or zero-commission trades; Standard users may pay a fixed fee per transaction above certain monthly thresholds.
  • Conversion fees: Buying crypto in a currency different from your account base currency can trigger an FX markup on top of the trading spread.
  • Staking fees: Rewards from staking programs are shared with Revolut, meaning the headline APY you see is rarely the full yield you receive.

In short, the convenience tax is real. A user who trades frequently or moves large sums will almost always find cheaper execution on a dedicated exchange. For occasional, small buys, however, the friction-free experience can outweigh the extra basis points.

Supported Coins, Limits, and Staking Features

Revolut doesn't list every token in existence — and that's by design. The platform focuses on the most liquid, high-demand assets, which currently includes major names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, and Polkadot, alongside a rotating roster of trending altcoins.

Account Limits by Tier

  • Standard: Basic crypto buy/sell with monthly caps
  • Plus: Higher monthly limits and reduced fees
  • Premium / Metal / Ultra: Generous or unlimited crypto volume, priority support, and access to staking on eligible tokens

Staking is available on select proof-of-stake assets, letting users earn passive yield without leaving the app. Rewards are paid in the same asset and credited automatically, though — as mentioned — Revolut takes a cut. For users who want exposure to yield without managing validators or DeFi protocols, it's a reasonable middle ground.

Revolut Crypto vs Dedicated Exchanges

Comparing Revolut with full-service platforms like Kraken, Coinbase, or Binance isn't quite apples-to-apples. Revolut is built for access; exchanges are built for depth.

If your goal is to buy $50 of Bitcoin during your morning commute, Revolut is hard to beat. If your goal is to trade perpetuals, farm yield, or move tokens on-chain, you'll outgrow it fast.

Dedicated exchanges offer deeper liquidity, advanced order types, lower fees at scale, and — crucially — the ability to withdraw crypto to your own wallet. Revolut locks most users into a closed-loop experience. That's a feature for some and a risk for others, especially given that exchange failures and custodial blow-ups have become a recurring theme in the industry's history.

Regulation and Safety

Revolut holds various financial licenses across the regions it operates in, and in many markets its crypto arm is registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) or equivalent. Funds are stored with regulated custodians and cold wallets where applicable. Still, crypto assets are not protected by deposit insurance schemes the way fiat balances are, so the usual self-custody mantra applies: not your keys, not your coins.

Key Takeaways

  • Revolut crypto is a beginner-friendly, custodial gateway to buying and holding major digital assets inside a banking app.
  • Fees are competitive for small, infrequent trades but become expensive as volume and frequency grow.
  • Supported coins are limited compared to dedicated exchanges, and advanced features like on-chain transfers or derivatives are missing.
  • Staking is available on select tokens, but yields are net of Revolut's cut.
  • For serious traders, Revolut works best as a fiat on-ramp — not a long-term home for crypto holdings.